Nokian debuts Electric Fit symbol for EV-compatible tires

NOKIA, Finland—Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has introduced a symbol, called Electric Fit, to designate tires from its portfolio that can be be fitted on electric vehicles.

Nokian said the symbol—which for now is not molded into the tires' sidewalls—indicates that these products are suitable both for internal combustion engine and electric vehicles, "providing safe and high-quality product performance regardless of the car's powertrain."

Jukka Kasi, Nokian Tyres senior vice president of products and innovations, said the Nokia-based tire maker has developed and tested its products for years to be compatible options for EVs.

"As the electric vehicle market picks up speed, the new Electric Fit symbol serves as proof of these decade-long efforts," Kasi said.

Nokian said the symbol will be used across the globe and communicated to tire professionals and consumers alike to show that the premium tire range is compatible for EVs.

Consumers, dealers and distributors will see the symbol in marketing materials, including web, printed materials and point-of-purchase displays. Nokian intends to mold it into some tire lines in the future.

Nokian said tires for EVs must carry heavier loads because of the extra weight of the battery, as well as instantly respond to the high-torque power of the vehicle and be reliably controlled in any condition or situation.

"Our starting point is that all our products make driving safe no matter what car you drive. Testing has remained a key to ensure tire performance is seamlessly integrated with electric vehicles," Kasi said.

According to Kasi, a vehicle's powertrain hasn't changed Nokian's focus.

"In addition to advancing safety, we have always developed other tire properties such as low rolling resistance, durability and comfort on a high level. With electric cars, these properties have become even more important as drivers become more aware of them."

"Soon most of new cars sold will be electric," he added. "We are moving on from specifying electric cars as electric cars. When we have no alternatives for them, they become just cars again."

Kasi cited Norway, where over 80 percent of new cars sold are EVs, as a great example of this development.

"Drivers there have shown strong customer satisfaction for our premium tire portfolio for years," he said. "This shows that we are fully Electric Fit, and ready for when the rest of the world catches up with Norway."

Nokian's EV tires also feature the SilentDrive sound absorbing technology, making the interior cabin noise quieter to match the silence of electric cars.